It’s better Yoruba value their culture now —Dr Gomez

Dr. Paula Gomez,is Portuguese whose visibility in the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo can’t escape sight of visitors. Her spoken Yoruba Language makes her more attractive as a symbol of cultural renaissance. Since 1990 when she arrived Nigeria, she has lived in Oyo, studying and promoting Yoruba culture, In an interview by TUNDE BUSARI, she speaks on the Yoruba attitude to their culture among other sundry issues. Excerpts

When and how did you find yourself in promoting Yoruba Culture?

I found myself 28 years ago landing in Lagos with the interest on conducting research into Yoruba spirituality. Tha happened during the time I was a student of History in Germany, and this interest brought me to Osogbo, before the town became the capital of Osun State. Apart from Osogbo, I was also in many other towns across the length and breadth of Yorubaland. If I must tell you, it was an interesting and memorable experiences touring these towns in search of information about Yoruba culture.

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It was amazing finding myself doing the research because I was meeting very interesting and cooperative and accommodating people. These people showed interest in what I was doing, especially seeing me coming from Europe. Along the line, I thought and in fact knew that one day, I would be working with His Imperial Majesty the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, the Ikubabayeye himself on preservation of heritage. I had thought of him because I realized he is an embodiment of what Yoruba culture symbolizes. In his words, his acts, his teachings and his entire character, baba Alaafin is Yoruba culture personified. You can now say that it was my dream came true when nine years ago, Baba Alaafin bestowed me with the honourary title of Cultural Ambassador.

 

What does this title mean to you?

It is to collaborate together with Kabieysi and the people of Oyo in preserving and promoting the heritage. And I can tell you with every sense of responsibility that I can’t have it better learning at the feet of the Alaafin who is never tired of imparting knowledge on Yoruba cultural value in me. I am very proud of being his ambassador and I think he is equally happy seeing me around putting things in perspective.

 

How can you describe Yoruba culture in relation to other cultures to which you are exposed?

Culture is a whole of a society but what I can say about Yoruba culture in relation to others is that their knowledge about spirituality is so deep that has so much to offer to the humanity. Yoruba culture which has evolved over the years is a culture that defines life, living and the hereafter. I have been exposed to different elements of the culture such that I see myself as being Yoruba blood.

The culture is rich and respected, especially by scholars of cultures. My observation is that there is a lot to know about Yoruba culture that what the media brings out to the world. The media needs to consistently give Yoruba culture, especially festivals adequate publicity. We are in the age of technology now when the whole world is a global village. That is, if Yoruba culture is projected right, the whole world would be interested and attracted and embraced it.

 

Wasn’t there resistance by your parents and families on your choice of research before you set out to Nigeria?

My parents at the beginning were not convinced about my choice, but with time they accepted and encouraged me. My interest in Yoruba culture and spirituality started with literature from one French Anthropologist called Pierre Verger. I got impressed by his work, and that was the lift up for my journey.

 

Upon arriving Nigeria, who were your guides?

Susanna Wenger known as AdunniOlorisa in Osogbo was one of my guides and inspiration among other Yoruba priests. But today my mentor, teacher and guide is the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba LamidiOlayiwolaAdeyemi. He is just an inspiration, and a bulk of knowledge. He is fountain of knowledge, a well which cannot be exhausted. He has answers to all questions. It may interst you to note that he answer questions on different subjects. It is difficult to come by person of his mental ability. He is so active, sound, very sound.

 

What have you benefited in promoting Yoruba culture?

I have benefited a lot; especially I have become a better person. Living here is just a journey of appreciation.

 

What are the challenges you face being here in almost 30 years?

The truth of the matter is that everywhere in the world we get challenges, especially when we are out of our homeland, but as I said before my journey here has made me a better person and made my eyes to see life in another way.

 

What is your finding so far about the Yorubas attitude to their culture which you is rich?

I should not say everything about my impression according to your question. Not saying everything I know is still part of Yoruba culture which respects human dignity. But it won’t be out of place to say that if the Yorubas appreciate their culture as other nationals do their own cultures, they will be better of. They have a lot of benefits promoting their culture. My finding is that it only when they have problem, spiritual problems they now run back to their culture. It is then they will remember their ancestors and the way their ancestors solved their problems. And when they do it, it work for them. Then they run back to the cities to run back when another problem occurs. To me, that is hypocrisy. But despite that, I can still tell you that Yoruba culture, especially spirituality, is expanding and more and more people are looking for it. You have covered some festivals in the palace here and saw the turnout and the way they were organized.

 

Is Yoruba culture fetish as it is alleged?

Well fetish is a word used in the middle age, especially by the Christians to impose their belief on other cultures.  But we are in the 21 century, there is no limit to information.The Yoruba have their own culture, their own way of life, their own way of worshipping, which is so valid like all the other cultures. There is nothing wrong with it. Yoruba culture is and has never been fetish. I am saying it that it is not fair to tag Yoruba culture as fetish. This is a pure blackmail to confuse people. No religion should black others. As I said we are seeing the truth now as the Yorubas run back home to do consultations with their ancestors.

What is the Asa Orisa association all about?

The ASA ORISA Association is register by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the number RC 70064 with the Head Quarters in the Palace of Alaafin of Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria.The aims of this Association are to unite all the traditional Òrìsà  communities under one umbrella to preserve the Yoruba  traditional Òrìsà religion in its essence, maintaining the values, ethic and respect . One of the aims is also to rescue the pride of the traditional community, project and revitalize the heritage and the beliefs in order to transfer knowledge from generation to generation.

 

To what extent has the association achieved these aims?

Importantly, the Association has achieved unity among the different Orisa communities: recognition of the Orisa communities in the society and among the government institutions; through rescuing the pride of the Orisa community about 11 ancient shrines were preserved and restored as part of the tangible heritage of Oyo State. Based on this work UNESCO has together with the community in 2017 implemented a project of safeguarding the intangible heritage for the period of six months. During this project with UNESCO, a group of people were trained and an inventory for four elements took place in Oyo town for international recognition. Besides these achievements, the Orisa children were able to be accepted in the public schools under the Convention of United Nations in 1966, where all the children have the right to have education and preserve their culture values.

 

How do you rate tourism promotion here?

It has looked worse already in my point of view and the international community is becoming aware of it and the Nigerian Government should look at it has a big resources of Tourism income. Yoruba culure is a big, very big product. State governments should wake up and tap into this untapped resources.

 

What are the impacts of Islam and Christianity on Yoruba culture?

I don’t want to discriminate any religion, but like I said before, when a Yoruba has a problem, he forgets his religion and comes back to the tradition. In fact, it doesn’t matter his position in the society, he would run back home to seek solution to what he consider as spiritual problem. This is a plus to Yoruba culture, which is not running to them but they are running back to it.

 

Without being patronizing, what does Alaafin symbolize to you?

A researcher does not engage in embellishment. You must say it as it is to advance the scope of knowledge. The Alaafin symbolizes royalty, uniqueness, greatness, prestige, Yoruba Race, culture, History, Power, Knowledge, Wisdom, Respect, and Authority.

 

How do you cope with his work rate, regarded as unusual?

How I work with the Alaafin is a good question. We work together with mutual respect, commitment and with a legacy. As I have said, baba is very interesting to work with. He is full of unbelievable energy which you may not find in people of his age.

 

What precisely do you find appealing in another peoples culture?

There are so many things that are attractive in Yoruba culture. Besides the culture is very rich in spirituality, I love the way the traditional community is organized. Everyone has a home; the settlement of problems in the community, from the family to the compound and to the Palace; the community way of living and sharing; no one lives isolated; the respect for the elders; the whole of the community is a family. I feel at home and embraced by the Oyo people.